Adrian Topala

Architected and led delivery of a frictionless, computer-vision-based IoT checkout platform, initially piloted in a single store and progressively scaled to multiple stores and countries. Delivered an award-winning AI-powered retail solution (RETA Award 2023 — Best AI & Robotics), reducing checkout time by 90%+.

Built a production-grade virtual store and customer-journey simulator enabling any team member or executive to simulate real customer behaviour, providing continuous visibility into system maturity. Orchestrated cross-functional delivery across backend, frontend, mobile, IoT, UX, BI, QA, and external vendors by establishing clear integration contracts, release cadences, and rollout readiness criteria.

Built Vexnor, an open-source TypeScript library for type-safe SQL — generates TypeScript types from database schemas enabling compile-time safety on raw SQL queries without ORM abstractions. Supports PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server, and SQLite, with adaptors for Sequelize, Drizzle, TypeORM, and Prisma.

Built NIFAM — interactive web UI for the decisionSupport R package (FastAPI · Vue 3 · TypeScript · R/Plumber), using LLMs for model explanation, specification clarification, and user-facing guidance via RAG while retaining deterministic execution.

Designed and implemented a real-time tactical puzzle game in PhaserJS with procedural AI levels.

Built a frictionless IoT self-checkout concept prototype end-to-end as a personal R&D initiative (kiosk client, backend services, OTA pipelines, and highly configurable workflows). Researched and qualified international kiosk hardware suppliers, established importer readiness, and validated market interest through demos/pitches; the venture did not proceed due to solo execution constraints and no anchor enterprise fleet client.

Stabilised HelloCoins.com crypto exchange with a 6-engineer remote team. Set up Node.js · React · MongoDB stack, CI/CD pipelines, and agile delivery. Facilitated collaboration across engineering functions and aligned delivery milestones with product and business expectations.

Initiated modernisation by rebuilding the core RFQ workflow as a lean MVP — the system's most complex and business-critical feature — after earlier freelance attempts failed. Re-architected Europe's largest manufacturing sourcing platform with micro-frontends (TypeScript, React, Redux, Material-UI) for better modularity and team autonomy.

Reduced RFQ processing time by 20×. Collaborated closely with CTO/COO-level stakeholders, aligning technical direction with business priorities and ensuring consistent delivery across engineering and product teams.

Architected a private pricing platform turning brand communities into micro-influencers. Integrated Shopify API and headless CMS to automate product onboarding, pricing sync, and order management.

Delivered autoscaling live/VOD streaming platforms on GCP with Node.js micro-services and Wowza servers for Limelight Music (US) and Digita Oy (Finland).

Led design and development of a fraud-detection and customer-risk system for IoT self-scanning carts. Coordinated a cross-functional Agile team across business, UX, and engineering.

Raised review rate for active customers from 18% to 94% in under 3 months. Standardised release and deployment management and implemented an OTA (over-the-air) IoT deployment system. Delivered on Azure · Node.js · React · .NET Core · C# · MongoDB · SQL Server.

Led multi-division data engineering and BI transformation for enterprise risk reporting, migrating complex Excel-based workflows into scalable, version-controlled QlikView dashboards.

Automated Excel-to-QlikView logic migration, improving data integration speed by 6× and enabling cross-division analytics. Implemented parallel Kanban pipelines and DevOps processes to enhance efficiency in a complex, multi-division environment.

Designed and built an IoT solution integrating commodity GSM/Android thermal printers with a centralised ERP for a chain of cafes in Melbourne — connecting order taking, kitchen, and delivery operations end-to-end. Sole architect, developer, and delivery owner.

Architected and developed a consumer-facing SaaS extension for the Dracoon secure file-sharing ecosystem, enabling simplified document sharing via dynamically generated QR codes.

Co-founded a stealth-mode security start-up in Munich.

Architected and developed the high-performance .NET/C#/ASP.NET API layer that integrated iPad and Windows desktop clients with Brainloop's core services, driving a 30% increase in customer acquisition upon market release. Delivered Client SDKs (.NET, Java, iOS/Xamarin) with libraries, code samples, and documentation.

Built a chatbot for automating sales conversions of an online marketing business. Sole architect, developer, and delivery owner.

Directed technical delivery and architecture of enterprise-scale nearshoring projects for major Dutch clients (Hyundai, Group M, Boskalis) using .NET/C#/ASP.NET.

Managed project budgets up to €2M and led cross-functional teams of 10+ engineers. Core team member that founded the Iasi R&D centre, growing it from 4 to 30 engineers.

For Boskalis, architected and led development of SOPRO — a complex SOA web system for managing soil processing activities worldwide, integrating SCADA, BizTalk orchestration, Active Directory, and SQL Server Reporting Services. Also delivered SOFLO — a soil flow registration and dynamic reporting system for Dutch government compliance. Both projects followed PRINCE2 with iterative Scrum, TDD, and CI on Team Foundation Server.

Built an eCommerce solution for a handmade jewellery start-up. Sole architect, developer, and delivery owner.

Built a classroom management system for an education services start-up. Sole architect, developer, and delivery owner.

Lead developer role delivering software solutions for local and international clients.

Built a VoIP PIN sales management solution for a small telecom services provider. Sole architect, developer, and delivery owner.

Early career software developer role.